The House of Unexpected Sisters

"Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are approached by their part-time colleague, Mr. Polopetsi, with a troubling story: a woman, accused of being rude to a valued customer, has been wrongly dismissed from her job at an office furniture store. Never one to let an act of injustice go unanswered, Mma Ramotswe begins to investigate, but soon discovers unexpected information that causes her to reluctantly change her views about the case. Other surprises await our intrepid proprietress in the course of her inquiries. Mma Ramotswe is puzzled when she happens to hear of a local nurse named Mingie Ramotswe. She thought she knew everybody by the name of Ramotswe, and that they were all related. Who is this mystery lady? Then, she is alerted by Mma Potokwani that an unpleasant figure from her past has recently been spotted in town. Mma Ramotswe does her best to avoid the man, but it seems that he may have returned to Botswana specifically to seek her out. What could he want from her? With the generosity and good humor that guide all her endeavors, Mma Ramotswe will untangle these questions for herself and for her loved ones, ultimately bringing to light important truths about friendship and family—both the one you’re born with and the one you choose."--Jacket flap.

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McCall Smith's admirers (or more importantly, Mma Ramotswe's followers) will be delighted by the newest addition to the long-running Ladies' Detective Agency series - warm and human, full of surprising additions to the history and backstory, and giving us new glimpses into a country where we all might like to live.

"Family comes in different ways, she thought: sometimes they are given to you. but sometimes you find them yourself, unexpectedly, as you go through life. This is perhaps not all that well known, but it is still true."

In many ways, the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series takes place in a sanitized Botswana where the characters have changing circumstances but basically remain the same: Mma Ramotswe following where inquiries lead her; Mma Makutsi prickly and opinionated; J.L.B. Katekoni stalwart; and Charlie the rather feckless apprentice.

This latest book takes Ramotswe on an inquiry above a woman wrongfully fired from a furniture store, which leads to related circumstances of an office furniture store that may have consequences for Makutsi, the discovery of another woman with the Ramotswe name, and information that Ramotswe's ex-husband Note was seen around the area.

The facts that end up resolving each of these plotlines disprove many of the assumptions made about each case.

Precious Remotswe remains my favorite character and it’s not just because I’m traditional built. It’s her quiet common sense. If I ever need an escape, I turn to the No.#1 Detective Agency. This is the 18th book in the series and they just keep getting better and better.

For those of us who enjoy cozy mysteries, a strong sense of place, and mulling over why peoples' reactions to what happens to them are so very different, this is a great addition to the Ladies Number 1 Detective series. The theme seems to be "Look before you leap", since most of the problems stem from making assumptions without the full picture having been revealed. Mma Ramotswe adds to her family and finds resolution for an old wound as well as solving several problems. Each book in this series is a lesson in how to prevent the friction that makes many peoples' lives unhappy.

Another saccharine bon-bon from Alexander McCall Smith on the contemporary topics of wrongful dismissal, sexual orientation, philandering, and office management ... with the usual lengthy digressions on the beauty of Botswana, cattle-raising, and respect for late parents.

Quotes

"Deeply satisfying and joyful, McCall Smith's series can be read as delicious entertainment. Or as wise lessons in humility, tolerance, and forgiveness. Or -- and this is the course I recommend -- as both." - The Seattle Times